Keith wrote:Yes, it does, but I think that's why it's important to keep it there. It brings up something in you and shows that it needs to be worked on. Leave it out and you leave out a tool for overcoming yourself.

I can buy into this actually, but is it a requirement? In my own experience this is a valid point and were that componenent not there I'd have missed much but is it necessary for everyone? Then again not everyone practices Aikido do they.

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Personally, I believe Aikido cannot be only spiritual, nor can much of anything else, because the seperation of mind, body, and spirit is an illusion.

I'm personally not advocating a separation of the 3 rather my point was that perhaps the martial component gets in the way of things, possibly limiting a component of personal expression and growth.